The electricity authority of Cyprus (EAC) has taken precautionary measures to evacuate its oldest building in the heart of Nicosia.
The move follows inspections revealing that the structure does not meet modern seismic safety regulations.
Speaking to the Cyprus news agency, EAC spokesperson Christina Papadopoulou confirmed the decision, emphasising the organisation’s commitment to safety.
The building in question, significantly older than a neighbouring tower built more recently, was found lacking in compliance with current earthquake-resistant standards.
“Regular inspections are a priority for us,” Papadopoulou stated.
“The safety of our employees and customers comes first.”
The EAC is also addressing an increase in staff numbers, hiring additional employees in recent months. As a result, the organisation is searching for rental office space to accommodate the new personnel, along with the few workers displaced from the evacuated building. Only around ten employees were based in the older facility, with some now relocated to the EAC’s central offices and others to regional branches.
Papadopoulou explained that the issues stem from the building’s age.
“When it was constructed, the seismic regulations we have today were not in place,” she said.
The EAC plans to implement corrective measures to bring the structure up to modern standards.
In the meantime, a tender has been launched for rental office space near the Nicosia regional or central offices to house new staff and those affected by the evacuation.
“Our goal is safety and prevention,” Papadopoulou stressed, adding that such inspections are a routine part of the EAC’s operations.
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